Sri Lanka: Floods and Landslides - Dec 2014

Glide: FL-2014-000162-LKA

Overview

By 5 Jan 2015, an estimated 1.1 million people had been affected by floods, landslides and high winds since 19 Dec 2014 in 22 of 25 districts; 39 deaths had been reported. More than 30,000 people were staying in 230 safety centres in 17 districts. Over 6,400 houses were reportedly destroyed and an estimated 18,537 houses damaged. (OCHA, 5 Jan 2014)

Last Tuesday 6th January the Start Fund was alerted by CAFOD following the recent flooding across Sri Lanka. On Friday a local Project Selection Committee was convened in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where it was decided that £266,590 should be awarded to CAFOD, Care and World Vision.

Severe flooding and landslides started on 19 December, caused by heavy rains and high winds and affecting 22 out of 25 districts. Central, North Central, Uva, and Eastern provinces are worst affected. As the rains abated by end of December, waters have begun receding and displaced people have begun returning to their homes.

• Sweden was the top donor to Sri Lanka in 2014, contributing US$2.3 million.

• Since 2012, Germany has provided the most humanitarian assistance in response to flooding in Sri Lanka, allocating US$312,173, followed by Japan (US$260,000) and the EC’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) (US$259,067).

• The Sri Lankan government has allocated US$3.8 million to the current flood response.

• No international humanitarian assistance has been reported for Sri Lanka since July 2014.